We have to improve

Gaffer pleased with winning finish but admits work to be done

Kenny Jackett was pleased to see Wolves finish a disappointing season with a win against a much-changed Sheffield Wednesday side in a fantastic atmosphere at Molineux.

But the Head Coach said it won’t mask the disappointment at a 14th placed finish and change the improvements needed for some “glaring weaknesses” during the campaign.

An early own goal from Michael Turner and neat finish from George Saville put Wolves 2-0 up at the break, before a late penalty from Lewis McGugan resulted in the 2-1 scoreline.

“A win is always important whatever situation you are in and we are pleased to get that,” said Jackett.

“The atmosphere was terrific today right from the start with the supporters generating a really good atmosphere.

“We started well and were good with our creating of chances.

“The first half performance was very good and then we lost Jed Wallace who came off at half time through illness having done very well.

“We got the own goal and then George Saville got his fifth goal of the season which is very good for half a season in the centre of midfield.

“In the second period we got into good positions, especially with Iorfa and Henry down the right hand side, and ultimately didn’t get the strikes off that we needed.

“It was a somewhat dubious penalty in the 89th minute which made it a nervous last few minutes but credit to the players they saw it through and got the win.

“In the end after a succession of draws it was great to win on the final day.

“But that cannot mask what we need to do and where we need to improve.

“Now for us it is about the summer and capitalising on the strengths we have in the side and addressing the quite obvious weaknesses that we also have.

“We have been a halfway side this year and we want to aspire to be better than that.

“I am under no illusions, to get ourselves close to a top six place we do need to really improve because in the end that was effectively Sheffield Wednesday’s second team.”

And Jackett was not hiding away from the fact that the season has been below everyone’s expectations.

“We were hoping to be competing higher up the table this season,” he said.

“We have not really been threatened by the relegation places but similarly we haven’t threatened the top six enough.

“We are hoping Dicko will be back for pre-season and that will be an undoubted plus given how popular he is here and the force he has been for us.

“But him on his own won’t be enough.

“We do have some strengths in the squad but we also have some glaring weaknesses.

“We need to be strong enough and deep enough to go through when the season starts because we won’t have the loan window this time.

“Discussions are still to be had which are against the backdrop of the club still being up for sale.

“We know where we need to improve and we will be working towards it.

“But the financial parameters are not quite clear yet.

“I am very much determined to do it here, I think Wolves is a fantastic club.

“When you play well, and the crowd are optimistic, it generates a fantastic atmosphere.

“That is the challenge for us now and one I am desperate to bring about next year.”

Jackett has already stated that discussions about his squad, including out-of-contract players, will now be stepped up in the wake of the end of the season.

Bjorn Sigurdarson and Kevin McDonald were both left out of the squad on selection today, and Jackett said the Scottish midfielder’s situation is one of the issues to be looked at.

“We have had discussions with Kevin and we will see what the overall situation is next week,” he said.

“He has been disappointed he hasn’t been playing but has been professional and worked very hard in training.

“It was an interesting combination today with Conor Coady and Jack Price and we need to be working towards being able to play with a two and having a second forward or a very offensive number 10 – that is where I want to get to.

“How that impacts the centre midfield and finding the right pair of players in there is where we want to get to.

“All the summing up will be done now the season is finished over the next week or so.

“It all depends on how our conversations go, how we shape our squad, exactly what we have to spend, and where we need to improve.”

 

*The three frontrunners as voted for by supporters for the Player of the Year award were revealed at full time prior to the players thanking fans for their backing this season.  The winner of the award at Tuesday’s End of Season dinner will be from the shortlist of Matt Doherty, Jack Price and James Henry.